Pony Express Re-Ride sets off to Sacramento

ST. JOSEPH, Mo (KQTV) -- Volunteer riders for the National Pony Express Association departed from St. Joseph for the annual Pony Express Re-Ride.

The yearly ride is a ten-day relay featuring riders and horses across eight states to pay tribute to the original riders during the Pony Express's first trip to Sacramento, California, in 1860.

The route spans nearly 2,000 miles from Missouri, all the way to California.

"We've been doing this for 40 years, so this isn't new," President of National Pony Express Association Fred Leslie said. "We've been doing it a long time, and this will be my 19th year of doing it."

This year's ride commemorates the 250th birthday of the United States of America.

The send-off for the riders saw over a hundred members of the St. Joseph community present to watch the riders take off on their journey.

Riders are set to reach their final destination on Thursday, June 26.